N.J. plant sales offering Rutgers 250 tomato and other garden goods

(Photos courtesy Rutgers NJAES)‘Rutgers 250’ tomato, the ‘Rutgers Scarlet' strawberry and other Rutgers-developed plant varieties are generating a lot of excitement and anticipation among New Jersey gardeners. But where do you find the plants if you missed the opportunity to buy and start tomato seeds indoors?

From May 6 -  May 8 the 'Rutgers 250' tomato will be among hundreds of plant varieties offered at the Rutgers Gardens Spring Flower Fair May. On May 15, Union County residents who can wait a little longer won't have to travel to New Brunswick to get their hands on these coveted plants. Closer to home, 'Rutgers 250' tomato transplants will be among plants offered that day at the Union County Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale at Trailside Nature Center in Mountainside. Details follow about each plant sale.

May 6 - May 8, 2016 - Rutgers Gardens Spring Flower Fair: Started 24 years ago, this has become New Jersey’s biggest non-profit plant sale. The selection will include more than  250 varieties of trees and shrubs; more than 220 perennial varieties, including tropicals and succulents; 190 annuals; 160 vegetables; 90 herbs and culinary exotics; and 100 tomato varieties (including ‘Rutgers 250,’ ‘Moreton,’ ‘KC 146,’ and ‘Ramapo’. Rutgers strawberry plants also will be available. Hours are 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Friday, May 6;  10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 7 and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday, May 8. To get a better idea of what to expect, view the plant list at the bottom of the Spring Flower Fair webpage or Follow Rutgers Gardens on Facebook. Please note: shoppers are advised to bring a handcart or child’s wagon to help transport selections.

On May 8, all mothers at the sale will be invited to pot up a ‘Super Sweet 100’ Tomato to take home. All purchases directly benefit the Rutgers Gardens Student Internship Program, which will provide hands-on educational experience for more than a dozen students this coming summer. Rutgers Gardens, located at 112 Ryders Lane in New Brunswick, is entirely self-sustaining, so gardener support is greatly needed. For more information, call (732)932-8451 or visit their website, RutgersGardens.rutgers.edu.

May 15, 2016: Union County Spring Garden Fair and Plant Sale: Rutgers Master Gardeners of Union County will hold their annual plant sale from noon to 4 p.m. at the Demonstration Garden at Trailside Nature and Science Center in Watchung Reservation, 452 New Providence Road, Mountainside. 

The event features deer resistant, drought tolerant and fragrant plants that thrive in Union County. Many easy-to-grow plants for beginner gardeners and a large selection of tomatoes and herbs will be available.

The trademarked 'Rutgers 250' tomato / Photo by Peter Nitzsche

'Rutgers 250' tomato transplants will be among the large selection of popular tomato varieties offered, as will Ramapo and Mortgage Lifter, so named for the 1940’s-era grower who paid off his mortgage by selling plants.

In addition to the plant sale, the event will include free activities for kids, guided tours of the Demonstration Garden, and displays and information for maximizing planting space and yields with “Square Foot Gardening.” Lean more about rain barrels and rain gardens, too.

Admission and parking are free. All sales are cash only, and shoppers are advised to come with a wheelbarrow or wagon to move plants. Sale proceeds fund community service projects of the Master Gardeners of Union County, the all-volunteer organization that runs the Demonstration Garden.

Guests can bring along their plant problems and questions for help from Rutgers Master Gardeners and also get information about the program requirements to join them.

More information is available on the Union County website.